“Lay wait for his black lordship to-night, and give him a sound horse-whipping.”
Rifle’s face twitched a little, and the three boys exchanged glances.
“Better be careful, Ned,” said Uncle Jack. “These fellows can be very revengeful.”
“I am not afraid. He must have a severe lesson, and as I am his master—Marmi, as he calls me—I shall give it at once.”
“But you will not sit up for him alone?” said Uncle Jack.
“Oh no. I shall want you all to help me; and so as to make sure of him, there is to be no riding out to-day. He is, of course, hiding in the scrub somewhere, and I don’t want him disturbed.”
Rifle looked very hard at Norman, who turned to his father.
“Well, Norman?”
“We all like Shanter, father,” he said. “He is not much better than a child in some things.”
“Exactly; I know that.”